Beginner/intermediate rubber for Nittaku Acoustic G-Revision
Adrian Chirieac asked 3 weeks ago
Hello,
Can you please help me choose between the following rubbers to match the Nittaku Acoustic G-Revision blade to develop good technique?
1. Nittaku Factive
2. Nittaku Fastarc C-1
3. Butterfly Rozena
I am mostly a beginner player with a few months of playing. I had 13 sessions recently with a coach to introduce me to basic strokes and techniques.
Initially I got a Zhang Jike ALC blade + Dignics 05 2.1mm both sides, which I guess is a common beginner mistake since it’s an advanced setup.
Now I want to get a 5-ply all-wood blade and slower rubbers to make it easier to learn. I already tested a Nittaku Acoustic + Factive 2.0 mm both sides. I plan to get the G-Revision flared for a better handle.
Compared to ZJK ALC + Dignics 05, the first time I’ve tried the Acoustic + Factive it felt slow: no longer winning with backhand drives since they were slow, and was hard to sidespin the ball when serving with my forehand; with my backhand I was able to put some good sidespin, so I guess I just need a better technique for forehand serving.
Overall, this was the intent, to get a setup that will require more from me in terms of speed and spin generation to use my body better with full strokes.
But now, I have doubts about the Factive rubber and I am thinking if I should get another that could provide a little more speed and spin that could be used for the next 1-2 years without having to upgrade to another too soon to avoid changing equipment too often.
Can you please tell me how the Factive, Fastarc C-1 and Rozena compare to each other, and what would you recomment?
With dignics 05 I had problems with the short game and topspinning a backspin ball (I always lose against a player that does a lot of backspins, either short or long).
Dan Academy Coach answered 2 weeks ago
Hey Adrian, I would say that’s a good choice to try to find something which will be suitable in the long term. Really there isn’t a huge difference in the 3 rubbers you’ve mentioned but from what I’ve spoken to players about I’d say the best option would be to go for the Fastarc c-1 as it’s good quality, not crazy fast but still enough. But it will also have good grip and control to develop your shots and improve. Dignics 05 is a very reactive rubber to incoming spin so I can understand that for sure.
The Fastarc is less reactive and you can still generate good spin yourself so I’d say that’s the best option. Rozena is also very good control but can tend to be a bit slow I think for what you’re looking for.
Dan 🙂
Adrian ChirieacHey Dan,
Thank you very much for your advice, I might try C-1. I was kind of leaning toward Rozena, having the plan to move back toward Dignics.
As a side note, recently tried Factive again on a Nittaku Acoustic straight handle, and on a Nittaku Violin flared handle. For some reason the Violin feels in some way nicer than Acoustic. I might stay with that for a little way before going to C-1 or Rozena.
Have a great day!
